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So you've got your awesome new website and you're proud as punch and showing it off to the world! But ...what about the Plugin updates? ...and the WordPress updates? ...and the Theme updates? ...not to mention Translation and Site Backups, as well as Potential Security Attacks. Have you thought about Uptime monitoring?

Who's looking after your website?

Updating your website

We're not talking about content updates here, rather something equally important but often overlooked, site health. Firstly let's talk about Plugins, think of these as tiny little off-the-shelf programs that run behind the scenes on your website usually providing functionality such as a contact form, image gallery or maybe a fancy menu system. Plugins much like any other software require updates from time to time to stay compatible and protected from possible security threats, Plugins should be checked frequently for available updates.

Next WordPress updates, think of WordPress as your websites operating system very much like Windows or MacOS. Recently WordPress turned 18 and we're currently (at the time of this post) on version 5.8. Again like Plugins WordPress updates are essential to maintain a healthy website. As well as WordPress updates, Translations and Themes also require regular updates.

What about protecting my website?

Over the course of 2020, Wordfence blocked more than 90 billion malicious login attempts from over 57 million unique IP addresses, at a rate of 2,800 attacks per second targeting WordPress. Source https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2021/01/the-wordfence-2020-wordpress-threat-report/.

A combination of Malware & Security Scanning, Backups and Uptime Monitoring is essential for proofing your website from attack. The numbers above certainly are scary but with some simple planning the potential damage can be mitigated should the worst happen. We can also add further protection such as masking your login URL, adding 2FA (2 Factor Authentication), and using a "Limit Login Attempt" plugin.

Over the course of 2020, Wordfence blocked more than 90 billion malicious login attempts from over 57 million unique IP addresses, at a rate of 2,800 attacks per second targeting WordPress. Source

Can I do all this myself?

The short answer is yes, although be warned sometimes updates for what ever reason don't run smoothly and you could end up with a broken website on your hands without a viable backup. #disaster

Introducing WEBCARE by DayBuild®

WEBCARE by DayBuild® provides comprehensive support and protection for your website on a subscription basis. This service is only suitable for websites built by DayBuild® Websites Ltd.

WEBCARE by DayBuild® is a monthly subscription service designed to look after any website built by us. The service includes:

  1. Monthly Site Backup - (entire site and contents)
  2. Remote Plugin Updates as required
  3. Remote WP Installation Updates as required
  4. Remote Theme Updates as required
  5. Remote Translations Updates as required
  6. Remote Malware & Security Scanning
  7. 24 Hour Uptime Monitoring
  8. Covers ALL of your websites built by us

...all for just £9.99+VAT per month (minimum 12 month contract) - Ask us for details!

Just for reading this post enter the Promotion Code MY25 to get an extra 25% off for the first 6 months! :)

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There is a growing number of websites using cookie consent management platforms designed to capture user consent for certain types of cookies. Such platforms inform visitors of the cookies being used by the website to make it clear what a user could be giving consent before they are dropped.

This blog post is prepared for website developers and business owners to give a brief overview of the legislation surrounding website cookie consent, and how to collect user consent lawfully.

Website Cookie Consent – why it matters - Yummy Cookies!
Website Cookie Consent – Why It Matters - Yummy Cookies :)

What is the associated UK GDPR legislation?

The law around cookies (and similar technologies) is found in the Privacy & Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) 2003. Although PECR has not changed much over time, the threshold for valid consent is now much higher due to the enforcement of the UK GDPR and that’s the difference. Key to getting it right is transparency.

What are the different purposes of website cookies?

In general, cookies are categorised as either strictly necessary or non-essential. The latter category could include cookies that are functional, performance related, analytical or targeting (marketing). Only those that you consider are needed for the correct operation of your website, don’t need prior consent. For instance, cookies that are used to remember what’s in a shopping basket, would be deemed to be strictly necessary. Whereas non-essential cookies are those you might think are commercially helpful but are not actually necessary to make the website work in accordance with its purpose.

Some cookies are used just for a single session whereas others are persistent and may hang around for days, weeks or years. Regardless, your legal responsibilities do not change. 

What is needed?

Every website that is running non-essential cookies must have a Cookie Consent Management Platform (CMP), that allows users to give consent for their use before they are dropped onto the user’s device. Valid consent requires the user to make an affirmative action to opt-in or accept non-essential cookies which means that all non-essential cookies must be disabled by default. Furthermore, if you are asking users to accept cookies, you must provide them with a corresponding list that describes their purpose. Transparency is key.

Why the fuss and does it matter?

The answer depends on your risk appetite, but you should at least take an informed view. In summer 2019, the ICO updated its own website, issued new guidance, and indicated it was taking a greater interest in the misuse of cookies. But it is not the threat of fines or loss of reputation that should be your motivation to do this properly, it should be to uphold the rights and freedoms of the very people with whom your website interacts.

Despite the image of cookies being delicious items of food, the term is just a euphemism for tracking technologies. Whether you believe they are anonymous bits of code or not, their use is covered by UK legislation that cannot be ignored.

In conclusion

You must tell users if your website sets cookies, and clearly explain what they do and why. Some cookies are deemed strictly necessary and don’t need prior consent, but all other (non-essential) cookies do. For these you must obtain user consent by affirmative action from the outset and in accordance with the requirements set out in the UK GDPR.

With thanks to our guest contributor, Data Protection Specialist, Phil Brown

There are many options for getting a new website built for your business or project these days, some of which require you to do a little of the work, some of which require you to do much more of the work and others require you to do all of the work! The problem with the latter option is, NEWSFLASH, with the greatest of respect you’re not a webdesigner.🙂

You're not a webdesigner
You're not a website designer

Create your own website with a free website builder

So what’s wrong with create your own website platforms? Although these options look great on the TV ads and certainly appear much cheaper than a professional website the sting is most certainly in the tail. Yes you will get fantastic offers such as free SSL certificate, maybe a free domain name, maybe even a free “Basic” mailbox. …so what’s wrong with that I hear you say, sounds pretty good to me! Well let me explain, with a professional website designer you are tapping in to years of design experience ensuring your visitors get what they’re looking for from your website as well as technical expertise to get your website to behave exactly how you want it to, no matter easy they make something look they’ll always be some unforeseen difficulty. Content and consistency is also of paramount importance to any Webdesign, I’m afraid a picture of your van isn’t going to convince anyone of your plumbing or pet grooming skills. Content is key for Google and other search engines to get the gist of what your website is offering. I mentioned consistency, so often I review a DIY website for a customer and find the same tell tail signs such as inconsistencies in fonts, font sizes or other site wide elements. A professional website designer will setup styles to ensure consistency is always respected even with user edited content.

How much should a website cost?

So this leads us on to the question if you want a website designer to do the job how much should you pay? On the whole websites differ greatly in price usually based on both the complexity of the site and the experience of the webdesigner but other factors such as timescale of works, graphic design or copywriting. Typically a basic 5-6 page website should cost between £300 to £1000 taking the above factors in to consideration. An ecommerce website will usually cost a little bit more as there’s a fair bit more work to do behind the scenes.

How much should a website cost?
How much should a website cost?

Should I trust WordPress?

Is WordPress ok or should I go for a hand-coded website? Considering over 75’000’000 websites currently use WordPress I would say you’re in pretty good hands while also benefitting from a really easy to use user interface and regular security and feature updates. Regarding hand-coded sites, it really depends on the level of complexity required, hand-coded sites remove any compromise but drastically increase cost and reduce longevity.

But what about all those hidden charges? In many cases the less you pay for your website, the more you pay in monthly or annual costs. Always ask about on-going costs when getting website quotes! There are some webdesigners (thankfully not many) out there who unscrupulously make their money in ongoing fees which are often dressed up like Snake Oil in the Wild West – Be Warned!

The basic requirements to run a website are:

  1. Domain Name(s) – You need a .co.uk, .com etc, this is your website address.
  2. Hosting – This is the place where your website lives – Think of it as rented accommodation. There is a choice of Windows or Linux – We have a lot of love for Linux.🙂
  3. SSL Certificate – This stands for “Secure Socket Layer” – This provides the padlock shown in your browser to show your site is safe for visitors.
  4. WordPress – wordpress.org is free – NEVER PAY FOR IT! – Most hosting companies have a facility for installing WordPress and other such apps.
  5. A page builder – This plugin allows us to build your website within a graphical interface. We love Oxygen Builder.🙂

Other optional extras could be:

  1. Security software, usually a paid plugin – I’ve found the best security solution to be a simple 2 factor authentication plugin forcing an extra level of security at login, essential for larger ecommerce sites.
  2. Site backup – Always have a backup plan, things can go wrong either with the server or during a simple update, your webdesigner will ask – do you have a backup? The answer should always be yes!
  3. Custom paid plugins such as booking systems and ticketing systems.

Hopefully this post has answered a few questions but if you would like to find out more about the services and packages we offer please don’t hesitate to get it touch.🙂

From Circuses to Solicitors

Websites come and go...

...especially if you've been building them for over 25 years! We thought it would be fun to list a few of our Pre-Portfolio websites going back to the dawn of time. We've built websites for circuses, solicitors, TV personalities, builders, toy shops, pubs, printers, haulage firms, and cleaning companies. Over the years, we've probably built websites for most industries, and this forms a solid foundation for the varied websites we build today.

Most of these websites either moved or shut down many years ago, hence no hyperlinks, but they're still part of our history, and that's why we're proud to display them here at the end of our portfolio.

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